The National Geographic Society has awarded a grant to doctoral student Sonja Schmoyer for research on endangered hemlock trees. She is one of the first 20 recipients of conservation grants under National Geographic’s American Keystones initiative, which supports efforts to protect the country’s ecological, cultural and economic pillars as the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary.

Kriza Calumba is a doctoral student in food science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is graduating in May 2026, and has shared about her experience at UT!

Gus Alvarez-Suchini, a PhD student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is working to change the way students view data science and information technology.

Alex Singleton, a graduate student in saxophone performance, collaborated with UT Libraries to design and 3D-print a custom tray that organizes saxophone screws during instrument disassembly. The tray provides a clear, step-by-step layout that helps students safely disassemble and reassemble their instruments while learning the mechanics behind how they function. 

This week is Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week (GPSAW)!

As the spring 2026 submission cycle is now under way, the Graduate School wants to highlight the graduate students who received awards for fall 2025.

Accounting PhD student, Deanie Chaudoin, has gained experience teaching undergraduate courses at UT.

Food science doctoral student Kriza Calumba won the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s, 2025 Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition

UT doctoral student Anna Catherine Gibbs’ archaeology research took her to Italy and the opening of an undisturbed tomb from the seventh century BCE.

We have eight more outstanding research programs awarded for spring 2025 across many colleges and departments.